Apple Corps Ltd

A British court judge ruled that a trademark battle between Apple Computer Inc. and the Beatles' record company, Apple Corps Ltd., should be heard in London. Judge Martin Mann rejected an argument by Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Computer that the case should be tried in its home territory. The judge didn't set a trial date and said Apple Computer could appeal the decision. Apple Corps is suing Apple Computer, claiming the U.S.

Apple Corps, guardian of the Beatles' commercial interests, said Tuesday its chief executive, a longtime friend of the Fab Four, has quit. Neil Aspinall, a school friend of Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, was the band's first road manager and would drive them between gigs in his van. He later became their personal assistant and in 1968 was given a management role at Apple Records, the band's record label.

A U.S. judge ruled that a trademark lawsuit brought by Apple Computer Inc. against a company owned by members of the Beatles and their families can be heard in California. District Judge Ronald Whyte in San Jose last week denied a motion to dismiss filed by Apple Corps Ltd. However, the British High Court still has to rule on the request by Apple Computer, which sells iPod digital music players, to move the suit to the U.S.

The long and winding road that would allow music lovers to finally meet the Beatles via digital downloads still has a few miles to go despite a copyright settlement Monday that raised hopes it would happen soon. Although the Beatles' Apple Corps record label made peace with computer and digital media company Apple Inc. over their uses of the fruit as a logo, there are hurdles to clear before "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" can be purchased on iTunes.

A British High Court judge is expected to rule today in the fight between Apple Computer and the Beatles' Apple Corps record label over the use of the apple logo. Apple Corps Ltd. is suing Apple Computer Inc., claiming that the Cupertino, Calif., computer company broke a 1991 agreement in which each agreed not to enter the other's field of business.

Apple Computer Chairman John Sculley's visit to Japan has renewed speculation about a possible alliance between Apple and Sony Corp. or another Japanese consumer electronics company. Sculley reiterated Wednesday his desire to expand Apple's computer know-how to a broader array of consumer products, such as advanced TVs and compact disk players, possibly through a tie-up with a Japanese consumer electronics company.

The case of Apple versus Apple is a fight over forbidden fruit. A London court is hearing arguments this week over whether Apple Computer Inc. broke a long-standing deal with Apple Corps Ltd., the Beatles' record label, when it launched its popular iTunes Music Store. The core question: Does the Cupertino, Calif., computer maker's use of its Apple logo on the online store make people think it's backed by the Fab Four?

It was George Harrison--the quiet, but not-oblivious-to-trademark-law Beatle--who in 1980 first noticed the potential for conflict. Leafing through a British magazine, Harrison saw an ad for an Apple Computer Inc. retailer. So the composer of the "Sue Me, Sue You, Blues" quickly rang up the trademark agents at the Beatles' company, Apple Corps Ltd., and asked them to investigate. The two firms have been at odds over the name they share almost since--most recently in a London courtroom.

The long and winding road that would allow music lovers to finally meet the Beatles via digital downloads still has a few miles to go despite a copyright settlement Monday that raised hopes it would happen soon. Although the Beatles' Apple Corps record label made peace with computer and digital media company Apple Inc. over their uses of the fruit as a logo, there are hurdles to clear before "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" can be purchased on iTunes.

Apple Corps, guardian of the Beatles' commercial interests, said Tuesday its chief executive, a longtime friend of the Fab Four, has quit. Neil Aspinall, a school friend of Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, was the band's first road manager and would drive them between gigs in his van. He later became their personal assistant and in 1968 was given a management role at Apple Records, the band's record label.

A British High Court judge is expected to rule today in the fight between Apple Computer and the Beatles' Apple Corps record label over the use of the apple logo. Apple Corps Ltd. is suing Apple Computer Inc., claiming that the Cupertino, Calif., computer company broke a 1991 agreement in which each agreed not to enter the other's field of business.

The case of Apple versus Apple is a fight over forbidden fruit. A London court is hearing arguments this week over whether Apple Computer Inc. broke a long-standing deal with Apple Corps Ltd., the Beatles' record label, when it launched its popular iTunes Music Store. The core question: Does the Cupertino, Calif., computer maker's use of its Apple logo on the online store make people think it's backed by the Fab Four?

A British court judge ruled that a trademark battle between Apple Computer Inc. and the Beatles' record company, Apple Corps Ltd., should be heard in London. Judge Martin Mann rejected an argument by Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Computer that the case should be tried in its home territory. The judge didn't set a trial date and said Apple Computer could appeal the decision. Apple Corps is suing Apple Computer, claiming the U.S.

A U.S. judge ruled that a trademark lawsuit brought by Apple Computer Inc. against a company owned by members of the Beatles and their families can be heard in California. District Judge Ronald Whyte in San Jose last week denied a motion to dismiss filed by Apple Corps Ltd. However, the British High Court still has to rule on the request by Apple Computer, which sells iPod digital music players, to move the suit to the U.S.

Apple Computer Chairman John Sculley's visit to Japan has renewed speculation about a possible alliance between Apple and Sony Corp. or another Japanese consumer electronics company. Sculley reiterated Wednesday his desire to expand Apple's computer know-how to a broader array of consumer products, such as advanced TVs and compact disk players, possibly through a tie-up with a Japanese consumer electronics company.

It was George Harrison--the quiet, but not-oblivious-to-trademark-law Beatle--who in 1980 first noticed the potential for conflict. Leafing through a British magazine, Harrison saw an ad for an Apple Computer Inc. retailer. So the composer of the "Sue Me, Sue You, Blues" quickly rang up the trademark agents at the Beatles' company, Apple Corps Ltd., and asked them to investigate. The two firms have been at odds over the name they share almost since--most recently in a London courtroom.

Split: Actress Halle Berry has filed for divorce from her husband, R&B singer Eric Benet, a spokeswoman said. The couple were married about three years and separated in October. This is the second divorce for the actress, who was previously married to former Cleveland Indians outfielder David Justice. Beatle book: The Beatles' psychedelic cartoon "Yellow Submarine" is being adapted for a children's book, the group's record label said. Apple Corps Ltd.

Paul McCartney said Monday that negotiations on a long-awaited deal to make the Beatles' catalog available on the online music service iTunes have stalled. "The last word I got back was it's stalled at the whole moment, the whole process," the former Beatle said. "I really hope it will happen because I think it should." The band's holding company, Apple Corps Ltd., has so far declined to allow the Fab Four's music on any Internet music service, including iTunes. Record label EMI, which owns the Beatles recordings but needs Apple Corps' permission to release the music in new formats, said it was still trying to resolve the matter.